As a newly formed coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election gathers steam, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the alliance as “dead on arrival,” reaffirming confidence that the President will secure another term.
The coalition’s leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and other prominent figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), convened a meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.
The group issued a strongly worded communiqué condemning the APC government as a “disaster” and called on Nigerians to support their collective effort to remove the ruling party from power.
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In their statement, signed by David Mark, the coalition described the APC administration as having “come into being on the false and evil propaganda to save Nigeria from PDP,” only to become a detriment to national progress.
The communiqué urged all well-meaning PDP members and patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition’s movement, which aims to champion national unity, democracy, security, and economic revitalisation.
“The coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, and national economy, and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions,” the statement read.
The coalition has officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform, confirming exclusive reports by New Daily Prime. Senator David Mark has been named interim chairman, with the official unveiling of the alliance expected imminently in Abuja.
Multiple sources close to the coalition revealed that while some PDP members intend to defect to the ADC, others will maintain their PDP membership while supporting the coalition’s presidential candidate.
Prominent PDP figures present at the meeting included former National Chairman Uche Secondus; ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Dr Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); along with Senator Ben Obi, former National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, and others.
The coalition lamented the weakened state of Nigeria under the APC, describing the country as “a source of embarrassment in the international community” with collapsed development indices and a deteriorating quality of life for its citizens.
“The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self,” the communique added, criticising APC’s tactics of “threats, blackmail, and patronage” that have reportedly caused defections from the PDP.
Despite these criticisms, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the coalition as a futile endeavour by “politically defeated” individuals.
Speaking, Ibrahim said: “The fact that they are meeting in hotels or places at night without any fear means the APC government has improved the security situation of the country… The coalition is dead on arrival.”
He maintained that President Tinubu’s administration would overcome the challenge “collectively” in the 2027 polls, insisting that the coalition members were motivated by selfish interests rather than national welfare.
Meanwhile, some PDP leaders have offered measured support for the coalition’s efforts. Senator Abba Moro described the meeting as “a gathering aimed at achieving a national purpose,” while PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi suggested that the party, having resolved its internal leadership crises, could now focus on the political battle ahead.
Sola Fasure, media aide to former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, called the coalition a “good indication of progress,” noting that the alliance aligned with broader efforts to unify opposition parties ahead of 2027. He also addressed Labour Party leader Peter Obi’s single-term presidency proposal, asserting that the coalition shared a common vision despite individual ambitions.“This is a realignment of forces to form a formidable opposition,” Fasure said. “Tinubu has virtually destroyed the political party system in the country. Now, you really cannot tell which one is the ruling party or opposition.”
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, expressed optimism about the coalition’s trajectory but declined to comment in detail on PDP affairs.
The unfolding political realignment underscores the volatile and fluid nature of Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the next general election. While the APC remains confident in its grip on power, the opposition coalition’s attempt to consolidate forces under the ADC banner marks a significant development in the country’s democratic contest.
